Had a similar thing happen last year—thought the boots were toast, but it turned out the flashing was the real problem. I’m in a pretty wet area, so I figured the rubber would be the first to go, but nope... the metal underneath had rusted out in spots. I get wanting to swap boots regularly, but honestly, I’d rather just use better materials up front and do a full check once a year. Less waste, less hassle, and probably better for the roof (and the planet) in the long run.
- Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to swap out boots every couple years, thinking it was just part of the routine, but after a while it felt like overkill.
- Did a deep dive on mine last spring—turns out, like you said, the flashing was the real culprit. The rubber looked fine, but the metal underneath had pinholes from rust. Guess that’s what happens in a damp climate.
- Swapping boots all the time seems wasteful to me too. I started using silicone boots and stainless flashing—costs more up front, but I haven’t had to touch them since.
- Annual inspection is key. I just walk the roof once a year, check for cracks or rust, and hit any questionable spots with sealant. Way less hassle than full replacements.
- Only thing I’d add: if your roof pitch is steep or access is tricky, sometimes it’s worth paying someone for that yearly check. Not worth risking a fall.
- All in all, better materials + regular checks = fewer headaches and less landfill waste. Makes sense to me.
That’s a solid approach—better materials and regular checks really do make a difference. I’m curious, though: when you switched to silicone boots and stainless flashing, did you notice any issues with expansion or contraction over the seasons? Sometimes I see folks run into trouble if the sealant doesn’t flex enough. Also, for anyone in wetter climates, have you found that stainless holds up as well as advertised? Just wondering if there’s ever any hidden corrosion under the boot that’s easy to miss. Either way, annual inspections seem like the sweet spot—way less hassle than swapping stuff out all the time.
I’ve seen a few cases where folks switched to silicone boots and stainless flashing, thinking it’d be a set-it-and-forget-it deal, but it’s not always that simple. On a couple of steep asphalt shingle roofs I’ve inspected (Midwest, lots of freeze/thaw), the silicone boots held up better than the old rubber ones, but you’re right—if the sealant isn’t flexible enough, you can get little gaps as things expand and contract. I’ve noticed some brands of silicone sealant stay stretchy, but others get brittle after a couple of years in the sun.
As for stainless, it mostly does what it says on the tin, but I have found a bit of hidden rust where water gets trapped under the boot—especially if leaves or debris pile up. It’s not common, but it happens, and you won’t spot it unless you peel things back during an inspection. That’s why I always recommend lifting the edge of the boot and checking underneath, not just eyeballing from above.
Annual checks are definitely less hassle than swapping boots every season. I’d only consider more frequent changes if you’re in a spot with crazy temperature swings or constant standing water. Otherwise, a good install and a yearly look-over seem to catch most issues before they turn into leaks.
That’s why I always recommend lifting the edge of the boot and checking underneath, not just eyeballing from above.
I had no idea you were supposed to actually lift the edge and check under the boot... I’ve just been doing the “from the ladder” look and hoping for the best. Does anyone else feel like these things are way more high-maintenance than they sound? I was hoping silicone would mean less work, but now I’m wondering if I should be worried about hidden rust too. Is it overkill to check twice a year, or am I just being paranoid?